Caribbean Chicken and Rice: A One-Pan Wonder

The pressure builds and you start counting down minutes until you eat. You can almost smell the spicy, smoky jerk seasoning filling the air inside your kitchen. It’s like a warm, cozy Caribbean breeze just waiting to hit your taste buds.

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While the cooker does its thing, you keep sneaking glances at it. That sealing ring doing its job, holding all the good stuff inside, you gotta respect that tight seal. It’s funny how anticipation makes time crawl yet fly by at the same time.

That moment when you hear the natural release starting and the lid can finally come off, you feel that happy little rush. You spot that tender pull chicken, the broth depth swelling with coconut milk, beans, and spices. Dang, dinner’s about to get real good.

Why Your Cooker Beats Every Other Pot

• The pressure cooker locks in heat and steam so your jerk chicken gets extra tender and juicy like no other method.
• It speeds up the cooking time big time, turning hours of slow simmering into less than one hour.
• You only dirty one pot, which means less clean up and more time for yourself.
• The sealing ring keeps all the flavor locked tight, so your rice and beans soak up every bit.
• Natural release lets the pressure ease off slowly, perfect for keeping the chicken moist without drying out.
• Its deep pot is perfect for even cooking and creating that broth depth I love for rice dishes.

What Goes Into the Pot Today

• 4 teaspoons smoked paprika bring that smoky warmth you crave.
• 2 teaspoons allspice gives it a little earthy sweet kick.
• 1 teaspoon chilli flakes to wake up your palate, add more if you dare for the heat lovers.
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger adds a subtle zingy warmth that plays well with the spices.
• 1 teaspoon thyme, fresh is best but dried works just fine when you’re in a pinch.
• Juice of 1 lime brightens up all those deep flavors with a fresh citrus pop.
• 8 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs or legs to keep things juicy inside the pot.
• 300 grams rice, 400 grams kidney beans with their water, and a 400 ml tin coconut milk to bulk it up deliciously.
• A chicken stock cube dissolves in broth to add that savory backbone to everything.

Your Complete Cooking Timeline

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1. In a small bowl, mix smoked paprika, allspice, chilli flakes, ground ginger, thyme, lime juice, and 2 tablespoons olive oil to make the marinade.
2. Rub the marinade all over your chicken pieces real good, make sure they’re coated well. Let it sit for at least 30 minutes or overnight if you got time.
3. Heat 1-2 tablespoons olive oil in your pressure cooker or thick skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken, skin side down, till it’s golden brown on both sides. Then set it aside.
4. Add sliced spring onions to the pot, sauté just till they start softening, about a couple minutes.
5. Stir in rice, kidney beans (including their water), and coconut milk. Season with salt and pepper to taste for that extra oomph.
6. Place the seared chicken right on top of the rice mixture. Pour in just enough chicken broth to cover the rice.
7. Seal your cooker and bring to full pressure. Cook for 25 to 30 minutes, then let it go through a natural release so your chicken stays juicy and the rice gets fluffy without sticking.
8. Remove the lid carefully, fluff the rice gently, garnish with extra sliced spring onions, lime wedges, and fresh chili if you like that burn. Serve hot and enjoy!

Easy Tweaks That Make Life Simple

• Use pre-made jerk spice mix instead of mixing your own if you want to save time.
• Swap fresh thyme for dried if the fresh stuff’s not in your fridge—still works real good.
• Double the batch and freeze half in meal-sized containers for busy nights later.
• Use quick-cooking rice and reduce the pressure cooking time by 5 minutes to avoid mushy grains.
• Leave out chicken and add chickpeas or tofu for a vegetarian twist that holds flavor well under pressure.

What It Tastes Like Fresh From the Pot

Right when you dig into this, you notice juicy chicken with skin crisped just enough but melting tender inside. The jerk spices and that allspice warmth hit first, then the lime juice brightens right after, keeping things fresh and lively in your mouth.

The rice is full of coconut milk richness with little bursts from the kidney beans sliding around, soaking up every flavor you put in it. That broth depth you get combines all the elements so well, it feels like a hug of comfort and spice all at once.

Each bite is a well-balanced dance of heat, sweetness, and zest, reminding you why one pot meals are the best kind. Fresh spring onions and optional sliced chili bring a neat pop on the finish every time you take a bite.

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Making It Last All Week Long

• Cool leftovers completely before tucking them in an airtight container for fridge storage. They keep well up to 4 days and actually taste better the next day.
• For longer freezes, portion out into freezer-safe containers or bags, removing as much air as you can. It’ll last up to 3 months and be ready for your next hunger attack.
• Reheat leftovers in a skillet with a splash of water or broth to bring back that soft rice texture and juicy chicken goodness.
• To avoid drying out during reheating, cover the pan with a lid and use a gentle heat setting. Slow release your patience here and you'll get yummy results.

Everything Else You Wondered About

• Can I use breasts instead of thighs? Breasts work but don’t have that same juicy tender pull like thighs do, might dry out faster under pressure.
• What if I don’t have coconut milk? Regular milk or cream can work but coconut milk gives that sweet richness you don’t wanna miss.
• Why is natural release important here? This slow release prevents the chicken from getting tough and lets flavors settle in the broth depth.
• Can I add vegetables? Sure thing. Think bell peppers or even spinach near the end after pressure cooking to keep them vibrant.
• Do I gotta soak the beans? Nah, using canned beans means you just dump ’em in with their water, saving you that step.
• What if my rice sticks? Make sure to stir rice well before sealing and check your liquid ratio. Coconut milk helps keep it creamy and less sticky.

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One Pot Jamaican Jerk Chicken, Rice and Beans

A bold and flavorful one-pot meal packed with tender jerk-spiced chicken, coconut rice, and creamy kidney beans. Ready in under an hour, this dish brings authentic Caribbean vibes right to your dinner table with minimal cleanup.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 35 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Cuisine Mediterranean

Servings 6 people

Calories 725 kcal

Equipment

• 1 Pressure cooker or oven-proof frying pan

Ingredients

  

Jerk Marinade

• 4 teaspoons smoked paprika
• 2 teaspoons allspice
• 1 teaspoon chilli flakes more if you like things HOT
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon thyme fresh preferred, dried okay
• 1 lime juiced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

Main Ingredients

• 8 chicken thighs or legs bone-in, skin-on
• 1-2 tablespoons olive oil for frying
• 4 spring onions sliced finely
• 3 cloves garlic grated or crushed
• 300 g rice
• 400 g kidney beans including liquid
• 400 ml coconut milk
• 1 chicken stock cube crumbled
• 1 lime juiced
• extra limes and sliced spring onions to serve
• fresh chilli optional, sliced to serve

Instructions

 

Instructions

• In a small bowl, mix smoked paprika, allspice, chilli flakes, ground ginger, thyme, lime juice, and olive oil to make the marinade.
• Rub the marinade all over the chicken pieces. Let it marinate for at least 30 minutes or overnight.
• Heat olive oil in a pressure cooker or skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken until golden brown on both sides. Remove and set aside.
• Add sliced spring onions to the pot. Sauté until softened, about 2 minutes.
• Stir in the rice, kidney beans with their water, and coconut milk. Season with salt and pepper.
• Place seared chicken on top of the rice mixture. Pour in enough chicken broth to cover the rice.
• Seal cooker and bring to full pressure. Cook for 25–30 minutes, then allow natural release for best results.
• Remove lid, fluff rice gently. Garnish with sliced spring onions, extra lime wedges, and fresh chili. Serve hot.

Notes

Marinate the chicken overnight for best flavor. This dish keeps wonderfully for leftovers and gets even tastier the next day. Perfect for meal prep too!